The first round of high-level negotiations between the United States and Iran concluded on Monday in Buergenstock, Switzerland, with mediators Qatar and Pakistan issuing a joint statement that both sides had agreed on a roadmap to reach a final agreement within 60 days. The statement, released by Qatar’s foreign ministry, also confirmed the establishment of a “de-confliction cell” involving the parties and Lebanon to enforce the cessation of military operations, and a direct communication line to prevent incidents and ensure safe passage for commercial vessels through the Strait of Hormuz. Technical talks are to continue for the remainder of the week at the Swiss resort.

Talks, led by US Vice President JD Vance and Iran’s chief negotiator Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, opened under a memorandum of understanding signed the previous week that extended a fragile April ceasefire. According to Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, Tehran secured US waivers for oil and petrochemical exports, the release of some frozen assets, and the launch of a reconstruction and development plan. A US diplomat involved said discussions covered the Strait, Lebanon, nuclear issues, and implementation details of the MoU, and that the Iranian delegation “never left” despite reports of a walkout. Iranian semi-official media had reported that the delegation briefly refused to return to the negotiating room after President Donald Trump’s threats became public, but messages continued through Pakistani and Qatari intermediaries.

The atmosphere surrounding the talks was shaped by sharp exchanges. Trump, in a Fox News interview and on social media, warned that Iran “won’t have a country” if it closed the Strait again and threatened to “hit Iran very hard” unless it stopped its “proxies” in Lebanon. Iran’s lead negotiator Ghalibaf responded that threats had no effect and that “we are the ones who act.” Tehran had announced on Saturday that it was again closing the Strait of Hormuz, citing continued Israeli strikes in Lebanon despite a new ceasefire declared by Washington on Friday. US officials disputed the closure, but shipping data showed an immediate reduction in traffic. The mediators’ statement noted that the communication line was formed to “avoid incidents and miscommunication” for the 60-day period.

The Lebanon deconfliction cell is intended to address the persistent fighting between Israel and Hezbollah, which Iran has made a central condition for progress. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated that troops would remain in southern Lebanon “as long as necessary,” while Hezbollah’s leader rejected any Israeli military presence. The overall death toll in Lebanon has surpassed 4,100, according to the health ministry. Viewed from Washington, the talks represent an attempt to stabilise energy markets—oil prices fell to their lowest since the conflict began on 28 February—and to test whether a broader transformation of relations is possible, as Vance suggested by speaking of “turning over a new leaf.” From Tehran’s perspective, the immediate economic concessions are a concrete outcome, but the roadmap’s success hinges on enforcement of the Lebanon ceasefire and the subsequent technical negotiations on nuclear and sanctions issues. The high-level committee will now oversee the mediation process, with working groups on nuclear matters, sanctions, and dispute resolution, as the 60-day clock begins.